State Governor
There are 36 state governors in Nigeria, one per state. The Governor is the highest executive authority at the state level, commanding a state budget often exceeding billions of naira and overseeing all state MDAs.
Term length
4 years
Maximum two terms (8 years total)
Seats
36
One per state
Minimum age
35 years
Category
Executive
Constitutional basis
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), Sections 176–198
Qualifications to stand
- ✓Nigerian citizen
- ✓At least 35 years of age
- ✓Member of a registered political party
- ✓Minimum School Certificate or equivalent
- ✓Indigene or resident of the state for at least three years before the election
- ✓Not under sentence of death or imprisonment exceeding 12 months
Roles and responsibilities
- •Head of the State Executive and Chief Executive of the state
- •Formulate and implement state policy
- •Present the state annual budget to the State House of Assembly
- •Appoint State Commissioners (with assembly approval)
- •Command the state's security apparatus (working with federal agencies)
- •Represent the state in dealings with the Federal Government
- •Assent to or veto bills passed by the State House of Assembly
Powers
- ◆State executive authority under Section 5(2)
- ◆Power to deploy the State Security Council
- ◆Emergency powers within the state
- ◆Power of pardon for state-level offences
- ◆Power to convene or prorogue the State House of Assembly
Checks and oversight
Who holds this office accountable?
- ⚖State House of Assembly — can impeach on gross misconduct
- ⚖Federal Government — federation oversight on matters of national interest
- ⚖INEC — electoral administration
- ⚖EFCC/ICPC — anti-corruption oversight
Remuneration
₦7,296,180 per annum (basic)
Plus allowances; actual package varies slightly by state
Election
Related offices
How to run for this office
Step-by-step guide to becoming a candidate in Nigeria.
Browse current officials
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Information based on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2022.